Elastic floor



May 21, 1963 P. BAUMANN 3,090,082

ELASTIC FLOOR Filed Nov. 3, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig] /NvENTor-:

)DM/Baumann May 21, 1963 P. BAUMANN 3,090,082

ELASTIC FLOOR Filed Nov. s, 195e Y s sheets-sheet 2 /NVEN TOR.'

P. BAUMANN ELASTIC FLOOR May 21, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 3, 1958 FIG.3.

yINVENTOR Paul lBaumann ATTORNEY 3?, @w82 Patented' May 2l, 1963 3,090,032, ELAS'IC FLUR Paul Baumann, 3 Goeherstrasse, Munster, Westphalia, Germany Filed Nov. 3, i958, Ser. No. '771,639 Claims priori application Germany Nov. 2, 1957 5 Slaims. (Cl. 2li-6) The present invention relates to elastic iloors, particularly for gymnasiums, dance halls, and the like, in which the floor covering itself or the elements which directly support such a floor, that is, the beams, timbers, or the like are supported by elastic elements which consist of wooden boards, beams, or the like extending substantially parallel to the iioor surface and at suitable distances from each other, and which are subjected to bending stresses under the weight of the oor and are, in turn, mounted on a foundation which may consist, for example, of the natural soil, a solid door, solid timbers, or the like.

In the floors which were known prior to this invention in which the oor covering itself or the elements which directly support the oor were supported by elastic members, these elastic members generally consisted of two parallel beams which were held at their ends in a spaced relation to each other by blocks or the like. Such a construction is, however, extremely sensitive and, since it consists of many different parts, it is also relatively expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an elastic door structure which permits the entire floor surface to swing perfectly uniformly and basically consists only of wood, and wherein the number of parts required is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the invention provides that the individual elastic supporting elements are mounted so as to prevent them from shifting relative to each other or from coming loose in any other manner.

A feature of the invention for attaining this `object consists in providing an elastic floor of the general type as described in the beginning in which the elastic supporting elements consist of two pairs of substantially parallel hardwood Supporting boards which are provided with recesses facing toward each other so as to form an intermediate slot, and the ends of which, lwhich are in engagement with each other, rest upon other hardwood boards which likewise extend parallel to each other and at right angles to `the upper hardwood boards.

Another feature of the invention consists in preferably interconnecting the hmdwood boards forming the elastic supports of the floor covering by means of wooden pegs which extend substantially vertically through the hardwood boards.

Another feature of theinvention consists in securing the suporting beams or timbers which form the direct support `of the door covering on the pairs of hardwood boards forming the elastic supporting elements by means of two boards which traverse the space between the two hardwood members of each pair and laterally abut against these timbers at both sides thereof. A very particular advantage lof the invention is attained by arranging the elastic supporting elements consisting of the pairs of hardwood boards and the hardwood boards interconnecting them so as to be in a staggered relation to each other in dierent rows underneath the supporting timbers which directly support the actual floor boards. The elastic lsupporting boards preferably consist of relatively unbreakable hardwood, such as oak or ash.

An elastic Hoor which is designed in the manner as :above `described has an adequate elasticity, but one of a very definite degree which might not be entirely sufficient `for each particular purpose. Thus, for example, in gymtnasiums which are to be used -for exercise by both children and adults, the elastic floor should have a softer elasticity for the use by children than would be required by adults. Similar considerations apply if different kinds of sport or games are to be carried out which would make different degrees of floor elasticity desirable.

It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide an elastic floor of the type as described above, the elasticity of which is adjustable at any time to the particular requirements of the `sports or games to be carried out thereon or of the persons doing them.

rllhis object may, according 4to the invention, be attained by providing suitable elements which are adapted -to be inserted substantially centrally into the slots between the elastic supporting elements and which are preferably actuated so as to move simultaneously with each other to fill the slots to whatever degree may be necessary to attain the desired elasticity of the floor. For this purpose, a bar, board, or the like carrying the filling elements is preferably passed transversely through the mentioned slots between a series of elastic supporting boards, `or the bar itself may be provided with thicker portions forming the filling elements at certain distances from each other corresponding to the distances between the elastic supporting elements. Such bars may then be adjusted in a very simple manner by means of a few hand wheels which are disposed at suitable points of the oor or by means of a central mechanism which may be controlled electrically.

Further objects, features, and advantages `of" the present invention will be apparent `from the following detailed description thereof, particularly when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE l shows an exploded perspective view of the essential elements of an elastic floor according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a perspective view of the essential elements of one preferred construction of a oor with an [adjustable elasticity thereof; and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration .showing the arrangement of a plurality of elastic support members of the type depicted in FIGURE '2.

As illustrated in FIGURE l, two substantially parallel hardwood boards al and a2 are first prepared, each having a size `of about 25 x 6 x 2cm. and spaced from each other so that their outer edges have a distance of about 40 to 50 cm. `from each other. Then, two hardwood boia-rds b1 and b2 and placed upon boards a1 and a2 so as to produce a `square shape, yas seen in a plan view. These hardwood boards b1 and b2 have a size of approximately 40 x 6 x 2 cm. and are each centrally hollowed out at one side along a length `of about 30 cm. and over the whole width of each board, the recess having a depth of approximately 4 mm. Thereafter, a pair of similar hardwood boards c1 and cz with a similar recess at one side are placed upon hardwood boards b1 and b2 so that the two recesses together form slots d1 and d2, respectively. Parallel to boards a1 and a2 tand transverse to boards b1, c1 and b2, c2, two further boards e1 and e2 are then placed at a distance from each other so as to -leave the proper space for the insertion of a square -timber f upon which thereafter the counter tloor g is placed which, in turn, supports the actual floor covering in the form of a plank or parquet floor li. Boards e1 and e2 are also made of a size of approximately 25 x 6 x 2 cm.

It will thus be -seen that the entire elastic floor supporting structure may be produced by squal boards of hardwood in which merely the boards b1, b2, c1, and c2 are chamfered to form the slots d1 and d2.

These supporting frames are then placed loosely and in a staggered relation to eachother and at distances of about cm. fro-m each other upon ta hard foundation of stone, concrete, mastic asphalt, tamped clay, or the like, whereupon the square timbers f and the counter door g, as well as the floor covering h may be placed thereon.

According to another feature of the invention, the hardwood boards b and c are preferably connected to each other by means of wooden pegs i which are iitted loosely in boa-rds c so as Vto have a play of `about =1 to 2 mm. therein so that at angular vibrations of boards c, these boards will not be rigidly secured to board b and their ability to vibrate will not be limited. The fact that the square timbers and the floor covering by themselves are capable of vibrating and that the special inventive construction of the elastic supporting elements also permits a vibration thus doubles the ability of the floor to vibrate which leads to the advantages mentioned at the beginning.

FIGURE 2 shows a modification of the 'invention in which the elasticity of the door is adjustable. The Ihardwood boards supporting the elastic structure lare indicated by al' and az. They support the hardwood boards b1 nad b2' which are held by suitable means, such as a spacer board, yat a distance from the upper hardwood boards c1' and c2 so as to form intermediate slots d1' and d2 through which a bar k is passed on which at the required distances from each other small ller boards l1 and l2 are mounted. As shown in FIGURE 2, the bar k slides in cutouts m1, m2, of the boards b1', b2', respectively. Thus, when bar k is shifted in its longitudinal direction, iiller Aboards Il and l2 may be passed between boards b1', c1' and b2', c2' into an eiective position so that the -oor will then be yless elastic. By means of the same adjusting mechanism, namely, the iiller means which include the bar k andthe filler boards ll, l2, it will also be possible to reverse this process by moving the iiller boards into a withdrawn position so that the floor will have a greater degree of elasticity. Naturally, iillers of la thickness diiferent from that of fil-ler boards l1 and l2 may alsobe mounted on bar k at the other side of boards b1', c1 and b2', c2 so as to provide a third degree of elasticity of the door.

Such adjusting mechanism is especially suitable for so-called multiple-purpose halls, -tor example, gymnasinms, which may also be used as assembly halls or for exhibition purposes or the like. If so used, the elasticity of the floor may be adjusted to a harder degree so that the greater weight of a large number of people on the floor will not result in any damage to the elastic elements.

As stated above, the elastic support members may be positioned in staggered relation. This is shown schematically in FIGURE 3 wherein the support members are arranged in staggered relation to each other in different rows, with a single bar k carrying the iiller boards l1, l2, passing between -the boards b1', c1', and b2', c2', of the elastic support members in any one row.

Although my invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, I wish to have it understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiments, but is capable of numerous modiiications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus ful-1y disclosed my invention, what I claim 1s:

l. An elastic iioor structure, comprising, -in combination: an upper floor; a plurality of elastic support members supporting said upper floor, each of said members having two pairs of elastic hardwood boards arranged substantially parallel to the upper floor and supporting the same, said pairs being in parallel spaced relation relative to each other, the two boards of each pair of boards being arranged one above the other, being spaced from each other throughout a mid-portion of their lengths and being joined at their end portions, and transverse lower hardwood boards arranged beneath said end portions of said elastic boards and supporting the same, said transverse boards extending at substantially right angles to said elastic boards and being in parallel spaced relation relative to each other; and iiller means arranged in substantially the center of the spaces formed between the two yboards of each pair of elastic boards for limiting the degree of elasticity of the floor structure, said liller means including a bar carrying iiller boards which are mounted -on said bar and which are shiftable therewith in longitudinal direction of said bar between (l) a withdrawn posi-tion wherein each respective filler board is out of the space .-formed between the two elastic boards, so that substantially only the upper one `of each pair of elastic boards will Hex as a result of a weight being brought to bear upon the respective support member, and (2) an effective position wherein each respective iiller board is in the space formed between'the two boards of a pair of boards such that a iiexing of the upper one of each pair of elastic. boards is transmitted, via the respective filler `board and said bar carrying the same, to the lower of the last-mentioned pair of elastic boards when a weight is brought to bear upon the respective support members, whereby in each position of said filler means, the support member will provide a diierent effective elastic support for said upper floor 2. A floor structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic support members are arranged in staggered rela tion to each other in different rows, and wherein said ller means passes through the spaces formed between the individual boards of the pairs of elastic boards of a plurality of elastic members which are in .the same row.

3. A iioor structure as defined in claim l, wherein said end portions of said elastic boards are in direct contact with each other.

4. A floor structure as dened liu claim l, wherein said end portions of said elastic boards are joined -to each other through the intermediary of spacer means.

5. A floor structure as defined in claim l, wherein said hardwood boards are made of a material selected from the group consisting of oak and Iash.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 796,727 Hunt Aug. 8, 1905 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,851 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1897 64,134 Denmark Nov. 19, 1945 901,342 Germany Jan. 1l, 1954 90,894 Norway Feb. 4, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES German application, Serial No. R12480, printed October 11, 1956 (Kl. 37d5). 

1. AN ELASTIC FLOOR STRUCTURE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: AN UPPER FLOOR; A PLURALITY OF ELASTIC SUPPORT MEMBERS SUPPORTING SAID UPPER FLOOR, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING TWO PAIRS OF ELASTIC HARDWOOD BOARDS ARRANGED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE UPPER FLOOR AND SUPPORTING THE SAME, SAID PAIRS BEING IN PARALLEL SPACED RELATION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, THE TWO BOARDS OF EACH PAIR OF BOARDS BEING ARRANGED ONE ABOVE THE OTHER, BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER THROUGHOUT A MID-PORTION OF THEIR LENGTHS AND BEING JOINED AT THEIR END PORTIONS, AND TRANSVERSE LOWER HARDWOOD BOARDS ARRANGED BENEATH SAID END PORTIONS OF SAID ELASTIC BOARDS AND SUPPORTING THE SAME, SAID TRANSVERSE BOARDS EXTENDING AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID ELASTIC BOARDS AND BEING IN PARALLEL SPACED RELATION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER; AND FILLER MEANS ARRANGED IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE CENTER OF THE SPACES FORMED BETWEEN THE TWO BOARDS OF EACH PAIR OF ELASTIC BOARDS FOR LIMITING THE DEGREE OF ELASTICITY OF THE FLOOR STRUCTURE, SAID FILLER MEANS INCLUDING A BAR CARRYING FILLER BOARDS WHICH ARE MOUNTED ON SAID BAR AND WHICH ARE SHIFTABLE THEREWITH IN LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION OF SAID BAR BETWEEN (1) A WITHDRAWN POSITION WHEREIN EACH RESPECTIVE FILLER BOARD IS OUT OF THE SPACE FORMED BETWEEN THE TWO ELASTIC BOARDS, SO THAT SUBSTANTIALLY ONLY THE UPPER ONE OF EACH PAIR OF ELASTIC BOARDS WILL FLEX AS A RESULT OF A WEIGHT BEING BROUGHT TO BEAR UPON THE RESPECTIVE SUPPORT MEMBER, AND (2) AN EFFECTIVE POSITION WHEREIN EACH RESPECTIVE FILLER BOARD IS IN THE SPACE FORMED BETWEEN THE TWO BOARDS OF A PAIR OF BOARDS SUCH THAT A FLEXING OF TH UPPER ONE OF EACH PAIR OF ELASTIC BOARDS IS TRANSMITTED, VIA THE RESPECTIVE FILLER BOARD AND SAID BAR CARRYING THE SAME, TO THE LOWER OF THE LAST-MENTIONED PAIR OF ELASTIC BOARDS WHEN A WEIGHT IS BROUGHT TO BEAR UPON THE RESPECTIVE SUPPORT MEMBERS, WHEREBY IN EACH POSITION OF SAID FILLER MEANS, THE SUPPORT MEMBER WILL PROVIDE A DIFFERENT EFFECTIVE ELASTIC SUPPORT FOR SAID UPPER FLOOR. 